What do you do when you listen to music? I’m sure it all depends on what you’re listening to at the time and what mood your in when you hear it. Some songs make us sing and dance, while others make us relax or cry. We connect to music on a personal level because it gives us an outlet to express emotions and make connections to the world around us.
I won’t pester you with a list of songs that have impacted me most because we don’t have the same taste in music. Even if we both love the same song, it's likely that we like it for different reasons because we don't have the same experiences. What we do experience when we listen to music “is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility,” which is how William Wordsworth defines poetry. In many ways, music is a form of poetry because of the way it calls upon our imagination, memories and emotions.Like lines of poetry, we connect to lyrics because of their honest depiction of society and human nature.
Music is constantly changing. Musicians take note of current experiences and worldly woes to present their audience with relatable content. As our culture changes and develops, so do the lyrics. One of my many standards for good music is based on the quality of the lyrics. It either has to be incredibly catchy or have meaning that I can relate to. It sincerely appalls me when someone says they don't pay attention to the lyrics or care what they mean. This explains why their kids get away with listening to songs that are obviously inappropriate for their young ears. They are also missing a key experience in participating with the content and applying critical thought to consider how they might interpret the lyrics. I swear it doesn't take too much work, and for me it's a burst of inspiration and enlightenment that leads me to make a connection with a song.
If we take away the lyrics, what are we left with? Well, I think the melodious harmony of the instruments deserves some credit for expressing emotion as well as the lyrics. According to Victor Hugo, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” Sometimes words just don't make the cut, but songs that are strictly instrumental are still described in terms of emotional impact. Light sounds are described as happy while deeper bass notes are considered angry or frightening. But from the first sound we hear, we can usually pick up the mood of the song.
It's what happens when we listen to music that matters. It is in our nature to find ways of self expression, and music captures our emotions and experience in a unique way that gives us a better understanding of society and ourselves.
